A SKIPTON man has been following in his father’s footsteps and had his first book published.

Peter Ellwood has penned Skipton History Tour which is printed by Amberley-books.

He explains: “Over the past few years Amberley has been rolling out a series of pocket-sized photo history tour books featuring towns and cities across the UK. I think there are well over 150 in the series and now that includes Skipton.

“Amberley approached me in September 2019 to produce the Skipton History Tour book using photos from the Rowley-Ellwood collection and my late fathers’ archive. The book was actually completed by November that year but the Covid pandemic delayed publishing by almost 15 months.

“The book provides a handy pocket-sized photographic guide of the town and its history and is illustrated with a selection of Victorian and Edwardian photos focussed on the towns’ central high street with some recent colour photos for comparison. The accompanying text provides interesting historical notes on the people and events that have shaped the town and the tour can be completed on foot by following the illustrated location map.

“It will hopefully give people a small snapshot of Skipton in times gone by and provide a useful pocket guide on which to base your first tour or discover more about the streets and buildings which surround us in this fascinating town.

“This book is by no means a detailed history of the town – for that I would recommend for Craven Herald editor Ian Lockwood’s – ‘A History of Skipton’.

“In the future I have a more ambitious project in mind to publish an A4 format book featuring some of the best ‘Old photo’s’ of Skipton and some previously unpublished material from my late dad, Ken Ellwood’s personal collection. I am particularly interested in finding new colour or black and white photos from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s or even ‘80s. If you think you can help provide new material which could be considered for publication, please contact me on pellwood@btinternet.com

The book provides a fantastic insight to some of the town’s history. Alongside a myriad of photographs, Peter details some of the facts surrounding them.

He writes about the town hall where he describes its origins and the use of the former site as a former vicarage. He also points out the site of the former health centre where Georgian cottages were demolished.

Another photograph details a school trip with charabancs packed full of excited school children ready for their outing.

He points out the Red Lion pub, one of Skipton’s oldest inns and reputed to be the former hospital of St Mary Magdalene, a leper hospital from 1310 t0 1350.

Another photograph shows a visit by Queen Mary to Laycock’s antiques shop in the high street. She was said to visit important dealers whenever she stayed at Harewood House.

An independent review wrote: “A handy pocket-sized book to old Skipton, with a map for a historical walking tour of the town. The book is richly illustrated with Victorian and Edwardian photos and new ones to compare the buildings and views today with the way the town was over 100 years ago. The accompanying text provides interesting historical notes on the people and events that have shaped the town. A great little read, richly illustrated with old photos. I recommend this for anyone interested in Skipton’s history. You can walk round the town or travel in your mind from the comfort of your favourite chair.”

“In Skipton, the book is available to purchase at the Craven Museum shop in the town hall and WHSmith. Outside Skipton, it is also stocked at the Salts Mill bookshop, Saltaire, and at the Stripey Badger Bookshop, in Grassington. The book is also widely available online at Amazon Uk.”